Moving step-by-step towards an inclusive university

DoBuS supports students with disabilities to graduate and implements structural changes based on the experiences gained in the counselling service with the aim of reducing as far as possible the extra work that students with disabilities have to master.In 2014, more than 300 students and 100 applicants with disability were counselled per semester.

Problems Targeted

An increasing number of students attend lectures at universities, and at the same time, all students are encouraged to finish their studies in a short period of time. This kind of environment makes it difficult for students with disabilities to keep up with the regular curriculum. Therefore, when it comes to supporting students in Inclusive Education, an individualized approach is needed.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

As a first step, the University’s structural barriers had to be removed, and the building adapted in order to be accessible to everyone. Second, an equal study environment was implemented whereby a level of compensation was applied to all exams based on the principles of disability mainstreaming. Individualized services for persons with disabilities include support for applicants, students, and graduates; counselling and awareness-raising; and the training of lecturers on Inclusive Education. TU Dortmund established several new services for students with disabilities, such as adapting didactical materials for blind and partially sighted students and providing computer tools for technical assistance. Removing the various barriers to Inclusive Education at the university level is a process that constantly has to be improved according to technological progress and the content of the studies.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

Today students with disabilities, including psychiatric disorders, are being better served within the university environment. In recent years the number of students attending German universities has increased, as has the number of students with disabilities asking for advice and support at DoBuS – more than 300 in 2015. As result, TU Dortmund has further built up its services for these students in order to meet the increased demand.